Technically you are correct. There is no comparison in the strength and leadership the US has taken since the income tax. Period end of discussion.

Imagine if a consumption tax had been implemented instead of an income tax. The government would be vested in creating legislation that drove economic transactions. Not just trying to decide who to take money from. But actually attempting to benefit our overall economy. Citizens could (if they so chose) save money more easily just by not spending it. The responsible ones would build a nest egg, untouched by taxes, then make purchases befitting their lifestyle of choice.

Imagine if a consumption tax had been implemented instead of an income tax. The government would be vested in creating legislation that drove economic transactions. Not just trying to decide who to take money from. But actually attempting to benefit our overall economy. Citizens could (if they so chose) save money more easily just by not spending it. The responsible ones would build a nest egg, untouched by taxes, then make purchases befitting their lifestyle of choice.

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“You may think RaiderH8r is just a thinker. But I’m not just a thinker. I’m a doer. Every day I go out there, and rev that engine, fire it up, grab a hold of that line between speed and chaos, and wrestle it to the ground like a demon cobra. And when the fear rises up in my belly, I use it. Fear is powerful, because it’s been there for billions of years. And it is good. And I use it. And I ride it; I ride it like a skeleton horse through the gates of hell.”

Do you put $5000 each year into a Roth IRA? It's tax deductible, can be tax-free when matured, and is a perfect example of a "loophole" that incentivizes people to build a nest egg for their retirement.

Do you put $5000 each year into a Roth IRA? It's tax deductible, can be tax-free when matured, and is a perfect example of a "loophole" that incentivizes people to build a nest egg for their retirement.

How many people do you think do that? You're completely missing Listo's point that more people would save if they had more of their own money to save.